Born: 1983 (Bad Nauheim, West Germany)
Biography:
Jasmin Moghbeli is an American U.S. Marine Corps test pilot and NASA astronaut. She was born on June 24, 1983, in Bad Nauheim, West Germany, to an Iranian family. Her parents, Fereshteh and Kamy Moghbeli, had fled Iran following the 1979 Islamic Revolution and subsequently emigrated to the United States, where they settled in Baldwin, New York. Moghbeli grew up in Baldwin and attended Baldwin Senior High School.
From a young age, Moghbeli showed a keen interest in space and aviation. While she was a student, she attended the Advanced Space Academy at the Huntsville Space Camp in Alabama. She later earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering with information technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). During her time at MIT, she also played volleyball, lacrosse, and basketball for the MIT Engineers.
In 2005, Moghbeli was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. She underwent training to become an AH-1 Super Cobra pilot and was deployed overseas three times. Throughout her military career, she completed 150 combat missions and received various awards and medals, including four Air Medals, a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.
Moghbeli’s dedication and passion for aviation led her to further her education. She received a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in California. She also attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland, where she became a helicopter test pilot with VMX-1 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona.
In June 2017, Moghbeli’s dreams reached new heights when she was selected as a member of NASA Astronaut Group 22. This marked the beginning of her two-year training to become a NASA astronaut. In January 2020, she graduated alongside 13 others from the NASA Astronaut Candidate Training Program, officially making her eligible for future space missions.
Moghbeli’s achievements and dedication did not go unnoticed. She has received several accolades, including the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School Class 144 Outstanding Developmental Phase II Award and the Commander Willie McCool Outstanding Student Award as the Class 144 Honor Graduate.
In March 2022, Moghbeli was assigned as the commander of the SpaceX Crew-7 mission to the International Space Station. This upcoming mission, scheduled to launch in 2023, will be her first space flight. Moghbeli’s selection as a commander reflects her exceptional skills, leadership, and contributions to the field of space exploration.
Throughout her life, Jasmin Moghbeli has shown remarkable determination, perseverance, and dedication to her dreams. She has not only carved out an illustrious career as a test pilot and astronaut but has also become an inspiration to aspiring aviators and young women around the world. Her journey serves as a testament to the power of passion and hard work.
Awards:
– Four Air Medals
– Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
– Three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals
– U.S. Navy Test Pilot School Class 144 Outstanding Developmental Phase II Award
– Commander Willie McCool Outstanding Student Award as the Class 144 Honor Graduate